September 11, 2014

International Literacy Day was celebrated across Pakistan on September 8, 2014. The theme of the occasion was kept in line with the first 100 days theme of the Education Countdown, i.e. “Provide Education and Safe Schools in Emergencies”. The 500 days Education Countdown campaign was launched on August 18th 2014 with a separate theme for every 100 days.

A “Post Card Campaign” and “Education Walks” were held all across Pakistan to appeal for quality education and safe schools in emergencies. Pledge forms were filled out by students of these schools reading ‘I WANT GOOD EDUCATION AND SAFE SCHOOLS BECAUSE…’ in English, Urdu and Sindhi with the student required to complete the sentence in his/her own hand writing as evidence for their dedication and commitment towards education. This signature pledge was used as the start of a 500 day campaign towards the conclusion of the MDGs and Pakistan’s effort to make an impression on this day.

Speakers at the event included the renowned physicist and social activist Dr. A. H. Nayyar, Senior Educationists and Civil Society advocates Mr. Arshad Mehmood (Save the Children), Ms. Manizeh Bano (Sahil), Mr. Salman Zaidi (Jinnah Institute) and Mr. Saeed-ul-Hassan (Oxfam GB). The panelists stressed on the significance of protecting education buildings and institutes in times of emergencies and reiterated the need for proper reforms for the Internally Displaced People due to the recent military operations. Facts and Figures regarding the attacks on schools and their effects on children’s education, especially girls were also shared.

Saeed-ul-Hassan (Oxfam G.B) began the session by introducing the topic and the conceptualization of the conflict areas and reasons throughout the country. He referred to the 42 articles in the UN convention in terms of the conflict article. Dr. A.H Nayyar referred to the government’s declaration on a security situation that is developing throughout the country. He also highlighted the urgent need to refer to the data such as ASER Pakistan and the information provided by Jinnah Institute and how the citizens deal with emergencies is not only the responsibility of the state but also the citizens. Jinnah Institute shared the extremism watch and Miss Manizeh Bano from Childs Rights Movement the struggle by children.